Purpose of consultancy:
UNFPA seeks to hire an international consultant to develop a comprehensive approach to MHPSS within UNFPA mandate with a focus on concrete actions to be taken by UNFPA going forward, building on work being done.
The consultant’s scope of work will cover both RH and GBV in emergencies programmes. Per UNFPA’s mandate, the support will situate mental health and psychosocial support for women and girls informed by an understanding of their experiences of violence and discrimination.
The MHPSS consultant will also be responsible for drafting key capacity building plan for MHPSS integration, as part of UNFPA comprehensive response programs in Syria.
The primary objectives of this dedicated consultancy are:
(1) The MHPSS consultant will support the development of a comprehensive approach to MHPSS within UNFPA mandate, that will inform national capacity needs, and support knowledge and information management at the national level.
(2) Review MHPSS Programing currently being implemented by UNFPA Syria Country Office, including as part of the response and during the recovery from COVID 19 restrictions, and Support the development of new interventions by strengthening/expanding existing programmes or designing new ones.
(3) Review and adapt existing monitoring tools in line with the resources of the MHPSS sub working group including indicators, data collection, reporting and monitoring activities to ensure MHPSS interventions are in compliance with international guidelines and best practices, where required.
(4) Under UNFPA mandate, the consultant will map and analyze capacity-building initiatives on MHPSS in order to help shaping a comprehensive response on MHPSS
(5) evaluate the work done before on the national level and build on it
(6) provide required technical support to Syria country office.
Coordinate with MHPSS sub working group to make sure that the MHPSS comprehensive approach developed for UNFPA is linked with the strategy prepared by the sub group.
The consultant will support UNFPA in three main areas of work and will be expected to complete the following tasks:
• 1- Develop a comprehensive approach to MHPSS within UNFPA mandate. Under supervision of Gender Program Officer, the international consultant will develop a comprehensive approach to MHPSS in consultation with the national MHPSS consultants, UNFPA programs (RH, GBV, youth and resilience), field offices, IPs including service providers
• Map existing initiatives, programming, and tools on MHPSS in Syria and draft an analysis highlighting gaps as well as innovative approach to consider for scale-up.
• Ensure the MHPSS tools and guidelines that used by UNFPA and UNFPA partners are consistent with international standards
2- Technical Advice
• Provide technical advice and support designing/strengthening , in collaboration with other focal points, the MHPSS services in Syria within UNFPA mandate and the developed comprehensive approach to MHPSS
• Designing MHPSS response action plan as part of UNFPA comprehensive response in Syria.
• Adapt standard MHPSS indicators and ensuring minimum MHPSS service standards are included in the comprehensive approach to MHPSS.
• Support adaptation of monitoring tools to ensure MHPSS interventions are in line with international standards.
3- Capacity-strengthening
• Conduct MHPSS capacity needs assessment in Syria as part of the design of UNFPA comprehensive approach to MHPSS.
With the support of the national consultants for MHPSS, plan a learning series for IP’s staff in Syria.
During the term of this consultancy,:
• Introductory meetings with national teams to map and analyse ongoing initiatives on MHPSS programming. (4 days)
• Conduct MHPSS needs assessment to identify and prioritize training needs relating to vulnerable populations mental health and wellbeing (5 days)
• Mapping of national capacity needs finalized. (4 days)
• Review and Develop the needed monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) tools (2 days)
• National comprehensive approach to MHPSS drafted. (10 days)
• National comprehensive approach to MHPSS validated through consultative process. (2 days)
A comprehensive approach to MHPSS is revised based on field consultation/learning (3 days).
The consultant will report to the UNFPA / Gender Unit.
Expected Travel: NA
Required Expertise and Qualifications
Education:
• Master’s degree clinical or counselling psychology or degree in medicine with specialisation in psychiatry.
Knowledge and Experience:
• At least eight (8) year experience with MHPSS
• Prepared and published MHPSS materials.
• programming, including in humanitarian contexts.
• Experience in project coordination and management.
• Good knowledge and understanding of humanitarian principles, safeguarding measures and established international standards on mental health and psychosocial support in humanitarian and/or development settings.
• Strong organizational and facilitation skills whether face to face or remotely with diverse stakeholders.
• Comfortable to work independently while coordinating closely with different teams.
• Experience creating training materials and facilitating MHPSS trainings.
• Experience in MHPSS research and assessments Good knowledge and understanding of humanitarian principles, safeguarding measures and established international standards on mental health and psychosocial support in humanitarian and/or development settings.
Languages:
• Full and demonstrated command of spoken and written English is essential.
• Arabic language proficiency preferred.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates can apply their CVs and Cover Letter to the email: hr.syria@unfpa.org
PS: The subject of the email must be the (MHPSS Consultancy), otherwise, the email will not be considered to be reviewed.
We are no longer accepting applications for this position.
